Digital Trends

Logitech Harmony 880

September 13th, 2005 | by Rebecca Day

Conclusion

Remote control is hardly a perfect science. Combine the functions of thousands of remotes speaking various languages into strings of commands operating at different speeds, and you've got a constantly evolving database of complicated codes and communication.  The only universal remotes I've seen that worked flawlessly are expensive touchscreen-based remotes requiring hours and hours of painstaking programming. Custom installation pros can charge $2,000 or more for the service.

At $249, the Harmony 880 offers a good alternative. It offers easy setup, distinguishing features and a patient toll-free customer support team as backup. The more complicated your system, the more important the latter will be, but I found the tech support friendly and helpful each time I called.  

On the down side, I don't like having to plug my remote into an outlet. It's not convenient and just adds another unwelcome wire to the living room.

I appreciate how much work has gone into the Harmony process. I have my work cut out for me to tweak the custom buttons to my satisfaction, but Harmony has the tools I need to make it happen. The Logitech Harmony 880 is a leap ahead of many other universal remotes on the market.

Pros:

-          Beautiful color display

-          Works as advertised

-          Compatible with tons of products

-          Attractive design

Cons:

-          Requires a docking station that plugs into the wall for charging

-          Takes time to program